Credit card with reduced points of contact

ABSTRACT

A non-rectangular or asymmetrically shaped credit card or phone card with an associated case or holder. The card has a configuration that complements the configuration of the case so that the card is easily removed from the holder for access, yet is maintained inside the case in a covered position and is protected from abuse. The case is designed to be light-weight and easily carried and to serve as a device to carry the card in a safe and convenient manner outside of a wallet or purse. Alternatively, the card may be in an I-shape or square shape configuration.

This application is a continuation of prior U.S. application Ser. No.10/085,454, filed Feb. 27, 2002, to be issued as U.S. Pat. No.7,290,364, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.29/133,861, filed Dec. 8, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. D457,556, and whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/306,743,filed Jul. 20, 2001.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a credit card of non-rectangularconfiguration, preferably of asymmetrical shape, that has an associatedcase that is accessed in a variety of ways, such as on a key chain,clipped to an accessory such as a belt or clothing, or kept in a pocketor bag. The case is configured to hold the credit card, as well as othertypes of magnetic stripe or barcode cards, such as telephone and storedvalue cards.

Special value cards have been provided by grocery, pet supply and othermerchant stores in the form of cards with key loops or key chainattachment features. The advantage of having the card accessible outsideof a wallet or purse, such as on a key chain, is that the user has thecard available at his or her fingertips instead of having to open apurse or wallet. Having the card in the accessed position increases thelikelihood of usage of the card, in contrast to requiring the user toremove the card from a wallet and/or purse and make a choice to use aparticular card from among several possible choices.

Special value cards are typically limited to providing discounts orloyalty points at the checkout point of a retail store. The userprovides the card to the clerk who swipes the card through a magneticstripe reader, or reads the barcode with a barcode scanner, and the useris provided with discounts on items that have been purchased and enteredinto the register, or provides an overall discount of a set percentage.Special value cards also indicate that the user has made a purchase of acertain amount, which is often stored in a central memory by theretailer, and the user is provided with further discounts and/or awardsupon reaching certain levels of purchases.

If the special value card is lost or stolen, its use is of very limitedvalue to the person who obtains the card. Unlike a credit card, whichcan be used to make purchases on credit at a store, the stored valuecard typically only provides discounts and purchase amount accumulationsfor awards. Thus, the user of the card is typically not concerned withshowing the card in the open to others, as the risk of theft is minimal.Moreover, the abuse and wear and tear on the special value card is oflimited concern because the cards can be easily replaced and have alimited lifetime.

As noted above, having the card already accessed and in a useableposition outside of a wallet and/or purse is advantageous for the cardsupplier as it enhances the opportunities for use of the card.Accordingly, suppliers of conventional credit cards desire theadvantages of having their particular card in the accessed position andoutside of the wallet or purse. In the case of a conventional creditcard, the user typically carries a number of such cards and has a choiceamong cards for use. For example, the user may often choose from one ormore bank issued credit cards in multiple accounts or from a particulardepartment store or other branded card. Thus, the supplier of theconventional credit card would obtain an advantage over otherconventional credit cards by having the card in the accessed position,in contrast to the other cards being maintained in the wallet or purse.

Having a standard credit card in the accessed position, such as on a keychain in the same manner as a stored value card, presents additionalproblems. First, conventional credit cards are the target of theft ofnot only the card itself, but the card number printed on the card. Thus,having the credit card in the open, such as on the end of a key chain,presents a target for card thieves. Second, conventional credit cardsare expected to have a longer life than a stored value card. Having theconventional credit card in the accessed position on a key chain wouldsubject the card to substantial abuse and wear and tear, which willrequire more frequent replacement, or cause malfunctioning of aspects ofthe card, such as the magnetic stripe, or cause an identificationphotograph to be defaced or marred.

Additionally, the size and shape of a conventional credit card makes itdisadvantageous to carry for special uses such as on a key chainattachment. The rectangular shape and conventional size requires anequally large sized container or holder to cover the card. Therectangular shape also limits the options for container size and shapeand access to the card within a case. Key chain containers areinherently limited in size and weight in order to promote their use.Bulky or excessively large key chain holders will pull the key when usedin a car ignition, or add weight or size to an item that is typicallycarried in a pocket or a purse.

Standard credit card magnetic stripe readers are designed to receive arectangular shaped card with at least one edge that is flat orsubstantially straight. The cards are designed with at least one edgethat is straight and parallel to the direction of the encoding on themagnetic stripe. The edge of the card serves as a reference for thestripe reading heads, which are located a specified distance from thebase, or the same distance from the edge of the card to the location ofthe magnetic stripe. Moreover, the magnetic stripe has a specifiedlength and width in order to record a particular number of tracks ofrecorded data. These standards for card sizes and shapes and magneticstripe specification provide disincentives for modification of thephysical features of credit cards and the associated stripe. The presentinvention provides an unconventionally, or non-rectangular, shapedcredit card, and an associated case, that still allows usage with astandard magnetic stripe card reader.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a credit card and associated case orholder. The card has a configuration that complements the configurationof the case so that the card is easily removed from the holder foraccess, yet is maintained inside the case in a covered position and isprotected from abuse. The case is designed to be light-weight and easilycarried.

In one or more embodiments, the card is a credit card. The card has afirst end with at least one arcuate portion formed of a first radius.The card has a second end with at least one arcuate portion formed of asecond radius. In one or more embodiments, the shape of the card isasymmetric about a vertical centerline with one end being of less widththan the other end. The difference in end widths is accomplished byhaving the second end radius being less than the first end radius. Inone or more embodiments, the shape of the card is asymmetric about ahorizontal centerline. In one or more embodiments, the card issymmetrical about a vertical and/or horizontal centerline, but is ofnon-rectangular shape. In another embodiment, the card is square inshape, and smaller than a conventionally sized card.

The card also has a first card connecting portion on a first side, orupper edge, of the card between the first end and the second end. Thefirst card connecting portion has at least one convex portion along theupper edge between the first and second ends. The card also has a secondcard connecting portion on a second side, or lower edge, of the cardbetween the first end and the second end. The second card connectingportion has at least one concave portion along the lower edge.

In one or more embodiments, the case is formed in two portions, or upperand lower cover portions. Each of the upper and lower cover portions hasa first end with an arcuate portion formed of a first radius and asecond end with an arcuate portion formed of a second radius.Additionally, each of the upper and lower cover portions have a firstcover connecting portion on a first side of the cover portion betweenthe first cover end and the second cover end. The first cover connectingportion has a concave portion along the edge. Additionally, each of theupper and lower cover portions have a second cover connecting portion ona second side of the cover portion between the first cover end and thesecond cover end. The second cover connecting portion has a convex edge.

The card is interposed between the upper cover portion and the lowercover portion. The card is movable between said upper and lower coverportions from a closed position in which a majority of the upper surfacearea of the card is enclosed by the cover portions to an open positionin which a majority of the lower surface area of the card is exposedfrom cover portions to permit access to the card. In other words, in theclosed position, at least a majority of the surface area of the card isenclosed within the cover portions or case portions in order to protectthe card and keep the identification information on the card out ofvisual view. In the open position a majority of the surface area of thecard is exposed so that the card can be dragged through a card readerwithout having to completely detach or remove the card from the case.When in the closed position, the convexly curved portion along the edgeof the card extends outward from the concavely curved portion along theedge of the cover so that the card can be easily accessed by the user.

In one or more embodiments, the card is pivotally connected to the upperand lower cover portions. The card is detachable or removable from thepivotal connection to the upper and the lower cover portions, in orderto be fully removed from the case. The card preferably has a knurledopening with an open end for the pivotal connection to the upper andlower cover portions. Other types of cutouts or formations may be usedto obtain the pivotal connection. The knurled opening includes asubstantially circular portion to permit pivotal rotation of the cardrelative to the upper and lower cover portions.

The upper and lower case portions and the card may be thin, elongatedmembers formed of a plastic substrate, such as where the card is aplastic credit card. The card may also be formed of a paper substrate,such as when the card is a telephone card or other stored value card.One or more cards may be placed within the case, depending on thestructure of the case.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not to scale:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the card of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of one embodiment of the card and case of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of one embodiment of the cover of the case ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view showing the card in the fully closed positionwithin the case;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the lower surfaceof the card and the lower portion of the case of the present inventionin the fully open position;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of the upper surfaceof the card and the upper portion of the case of the present inventionin the fully open position;

FIG. 7A is a top plan view of another embodiment of the card of thepresent invention; and,

FIG. 7B is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of the card of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the card of thepresent invention in which the card is symmetric about a centerline andnon-rectangular in shape.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the card of thepresent invention in which the card is symmetric about a centerline andsquare in shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a non-rectangular, and preferably anasymmetrical, shaped credit card with an associated case or holder. Thecard is formed of a configuration that complements the configuration ofthe case so that the card is easily removed from the holder for access,yet is maintained inside the case in a covered position and is protectedfrom abuse. The case is designed to be light-weight and easily carried,which is an important feature in order to attach the cover to a varietyof items, such as a key chain. The case is preferably configured in aclam-shell type shape so that the card may be rotated into and out ofthe holder. The case may also be of a sufficient size to include othersmall items, such as a microprocessor or chip.

In one or more embodiments, the present invention provides a card andcase that includes a card for use with an electronic payment mechanism.The term “electronic payment mechanism” is intended to includeconventional credit card readers and magnetic stripe readers, inaddition to any other type of mechanism that can be used with a card totransfer payment information. Other types of mechanisms can include,without limitation, barcode scanners and readers, phone card readers,debit card readers, bank ATM card readers, or personal computers orhand-held devices that can be used in conjunction with such cards tomake payments electronically by inputting card identificationinformation, alone or in conjunction with other identification means.

In one or more embodiments, the card is a credit card, such as offeredby Discover Financial Services (or VISA, MasterCard, American Express,or various retail establishments). The card has an upper surface and alower surface. Each of those surfaces define a surface area onoppositely oriented front and back faces of the card. Typically, cardholder information, such as card number, card holder name, cardexpiration date, issuer name, issuer logo, and the like, are included onthe upper surface. Typically, the lower surface of the card includes amagnetic stripe, which has tracks of magnetically coded informationrelating to the card holder and the issuer. The information on thestripe is typically accessed by dragging the card through an associatedmagnetic stripe reader that has heads for reading the stripe. Associatedmagnetic stripe reader is meant to include, without limitation, alltypes of magnetic stripe reading mechanisms, such as those typicallyfound at retail establishments. Modifications may need to be made to thecard to accommodate certain types of magnetic stripe readers.

As shown in FIG. 1, the card 10 has a first card end 11 with at leastone arcuate portion 14 formed of a first card radius, R1. The card 10has a second card end 15 with at least one arcuate portion 17 formed ofa second card radius R2. In one preferred embodiment, the shape of thecard is asymmetric about a vertical centerline V, with one end 15 beingof less width than the other end 11. The difference in end widths isformed by having the second card radius R2 being less than the firstcard radius R1.

The card also has a first card connecting portion 16 on a first side, orupper edge, of the card between the first end 11 and the second end 15.The first card connecting portion 16 has at least one convexly curvedportion 48, or a convex portion, along the upper edge between the firstand second ends, shown more clearly in FIG. 4. The card also has asecond card connecting portion 12 on a second side, or lower edge, ofthe card between the first end and the second end. The second cardconnecting portion has at least one concavely curved portion 50, or aconcave portion, along the lower edge, also shown in FIG. 4.

While such terms as upper edge, lower edge, first end and second end areused herein, the invention is to be broadly construed to includeplacement of various features on upper or lower or first or second endsor sides without restriction to the particular embodiments describedherein. Also, the terms convex and concave are intended to describe theoutward or inward curve or arc of the segment.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the case is formed in twoportions, or upper and lower cover portions 30, 32. Each of the upperand lower cover portions has a first cover end 40 with at least onearcuate portion formed of a first cover radius RC1 and a second coverend 36 with at least one arcuate portion formed of a second cover radiusRC2. Additionally, each of the upper and lower cover portions have afirst cover connecting portion 34 on a first side of the cover portionbetween the first cover end 40 and the second cover end 36. The firstcover connecting portion 34 has at least one concavely curved portion,or a concave portion along the edge. Additionally, each of the upper andlower cover portions 30, 32 have a second cover connecting portion 38 ona second side of the cover portion between the first cover end 40 andthe second cover end 36. The second cover connecting portion 38 has atleast one convexly curved portion, or convex edge.

The card 10 is interposed between the upper cover portion 30 and thelower cover portion 32. The card is movable between said upper and lowercover portions from a closed position in which a majority of the uppersurface area of the card is enclosed by the cover portions to an openposition in which a majority of the lower surface area of the card isexposed from cover portions to permit access to the card. In otherwords, in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 4, at least a majorityof the surface area of the card is enclosed within the cover portions orcase portions in order to protect the card and keep the identificationinformation on the card out of plain view. In the open position, asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a majority of the surface area of the card isexposed so that the card can be dragged through a card reader withouthaving to completely detach or remove the card from the case.

In one embodiment, the card is pivotally connected to the upper andlower cover portions. The card is detachable or removable from thepivotal connection to the upper and the lower cover portions, in orderto be fully removed from the case. The card preferably has a knurledopening 18 with an open end for the pivotal connection to the upper andlower cover portions. Other types of cutouts or formations may be usedto obtain the pivotal connection. The knurled opening 18 includes asubstantially circular portion to permit pivotal rotation of the cardrelative to the upper and lower cover portions.

The pivotal connection may be formed by a pivot pin 42 connecting theupper and lower portions. The pin may be in the form of a generallycylindrically shaped rivet. The rivet or pin may also have an aperture43 formed therein to permit passage of a key chain loop 45. This allowsthe attachment of keys to the case to permit the key chain aspect of thecase to be accomplished.

In one embodiment, the shape of the first cover end 40 of the firstcover radius RC1 forms a rounded portion of the arcuate portion for atleast 180 degrees. In other words, the radius forms a semicircle alongthe end at a portion of the end. The end of the semicircle then blendssmoothly into the concave curvature of the first cover connectingportion 34. Similarly, the convex curvature 38 of the second coverconnecting portion blends smoothly into the rounded portion of the firstend.

At the other end, the second cover end 36 of the second cover radius RC2may form a rounded portion of the arcuate portion for at least 180degrees, or a semicircle along the second end portion 36. The concavecurvature of the first cover connecting portion blends 34 smoothly intothis rounded portion of the second end 36. Similarly, the convexcurvature of the second cover connecting portion 38 blends smoothly intothe rounded portion of the second end 34.

In one preferred embodiment, the convex portion 48 of the upper surfaceof the first card connecting portion 16 of the card extends outside theconcave portion 50 of the first cover connecting portion 34 of the coverwhen the card is enclosed within the cover portions in the closedposition. Preferably, the upper and lower cover or case portions form amatching set and the credit card rotates from within the matched caseportions to an outside or accessed position, and then rotates back to aclosed position after use. The shape of the case portions and cardportions allows access to the card from the closed position to permiteasy rotation or removal of the card from the case.

In one embodiment, the upper case portion includes a money clip member52 attached thereto for holding currency against upper case portion. Aclip member 52 may also be included for attachment of the case to anarticle of clothing, or to another accessory, such as the inside of abrief case pocket or purse pocket.

The lower case portion may also include a microprocessor chip 54embedded therein. The microprocessor chip communicates with anassociated electronic payment mechanism by a radio signal transmittedtherebetween. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) system, such asthose used at gasoline and retail systems with a hand-held wand or“fob,” is contemplated for use with this chip. In one embodiment, theradio signal causes communication with an associated electronic paymentmechanism and identification of information associated with theparticular credit card used with this case. The electronic paymentmechanism causes transmission of information relating to informationcontained on the card.

At least one of the upper and lower case portions may includeidentification information 56 associated with the card. For example,information related to the issuer of the credit card may be placed onthe outside of the case. The lower case portion may include at least oneor more labels 58 having bar coded information thereon. Preferably, thebar code information is associated with information contained on thecredit card. Barcode information may be added by placement of a labelwith adhesive on the outside of the case.

In another embodiment, the bar code labels on the case are notnecessarily associated with the information contained on the creditcard, but may be associated with one or more merchant loyalty programs.The case of the present invention thus provides a device with multiple,or a plurality of, bar codes on a single device. The bar code labels canbe updated or modified by applying additional adhesive-backed labelsover the existing labels.

The upper and lower case portions and the card may be thin, elongatedmembers formed of a plastic substrate, such as where the card is aplastic credit card. The card may also be formed of a paper substrate,such as when the card is a telephone card or other stored value card, orof other suitable materials. One or more cards may be placed within thecase, depending on the structure of the case.

The card may be formed by a punching operation from a standard sizedcard. Conventional cards are formed by combining a series of substrates,or layers, with a series of one or more coating or clear plasticoverlays. One common form of credit card is formed by utilizing a corestock of material such as polyvinyl chloride acetate (PVCA) havingopaque agents and plasticizers mixed in the polymer matrix. The corestock is the layer on which the words and symbols are printed, andnumbers are embossed. A surface laminate of polyvinyl chloride or PVCAis used to provide a surface finish. The magnetic stripe is applied tothe laminate under a hot stamping process that uses heat and pressure.

The cards are then punched out in their conventional rectangular formfrom a sheet or strip. The present invention contemplates punching theasymmetrically shaped cards from the sheet or strip, or punching theasymmetrically shaped cards from conventionally shaped rectangular cardsin a second punching operation. The asymmetrical shape will allowreductions in the amount of materials used for each of the individualcards based on the smaller size of the card. Also, the fonts on thefront side of the card, and the magnetic stripe on the back side of thecard, are in a condensed format for the smaller sized, asymmetricalshaped cards. Examples of fonts for the user's name, card number, andcard issuer name are shown on the card in FIG. 6. The cards can beformed in any size, including a conventional credit card size, or asmaller size, such as approximately two-thirds of the conventional size.

The upper case portion may include a coarse material or embossment on atleast a portion of its surface to create a frictional resistance toassist pivotal movement of the case portions with respect to the card.The coarse material may be ridges 44 formed on the surface. The card mayinclude a recessed portion 22, such as a fingernail slot, on its uppersurface to assist pivotal movement of the card with respect to the coverportions. However, the preferred embodiment does not include anyrecessed portion or slot.

In the embodiments of a credit card or a phone card, the card mayinclude a magnetic stripe 20 that contains information relating to thecard. The magnetic stripe extends between the arcuate first card end 14and the arcuate second card end 17. The magnetic stripe information isformed on tracks on the stripe between the arcuate first card end andthe arcuate second card end. The magnetic stripe of the presentinvention may use an ISO standard magnetic stripe that has non-ISOstandard data, or compressed data, or may use ISO standard data. Thecompression of data on the stripe is necessary as a result of the stripelength on the asymmetrical card being less than the length of aconventional magnetic stripe on a conventional rectangular card.However, the non-ISO standard data, or compressed data, can be read in astandard magnetic stripe reading machine.

The card also has a second card connecting portion 12 that extendsbetween two points 62, 64 formed on the lower surface of the card. Thesetwo points 62, 64 form a line therebetween that is substantiallyparallel to the magnetic stripe 20. The two points form contact pointsfor the card in an associated magnetic stripe reader. The stripe 20 isshown on the upper surface of the embodiment in FIG. 1, for illustrativepurposes. The stripe is typically on the lower or bottom surface, asshown in FIG. 5. Also shown in FIG. 5 is the horizontal centerline H,about which the card is asymmetrically formed.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show an alternative embodiment in which the top side isreversed from that in FIG. 6. The two points 72, 74 are formed on thelower surface of the card for location of the card in the reader forreading the magnetic stripe 80. One feature of the embodiment of FIGS.7A and 7B is that the magnetic stripe is matched to the back of the casewhen the card is in the associated case. Opening 78 in the embodiment ofFIG. 7A provides a greater access portion than the other embodimentsshown.

The card of the present invention differs from a conventional creditcard in that, among other things, it is asymmetrical in shape withrespect to a vertical centerline V along the upper and lower surface.The asymmetrical shape can be in the form of the preferred embodiment inwhich the two ends are arcuate in shape, with one end being of greaterwidth or size than the other end. Other asymmetrical shapes andconfigurations for the card are possible and considered within the scopeof the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows another alternative embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 8, card 110 is preferably of the conventional size, but is shapedin a configuration that differs from the conventional rectangularconfiguration. The distance between edges 112 and 114 is less than thedistance between outside edges 116 and 118 to form a dumbell or I-shape.The card is preferably symmetric about a horizontal centerline and avertical centerline, but may be asymmetrical about one or bothcenterlines. The edges 112, 114, 116 and 118 are preferably straight andat 90 degree angles to side edges 120, 122, but may be sloping orcurved. The corners of the card between outside edges 116, 118 and sideedge 120 are slightly rounded or curved in the conventional manner. Amagnetic stripe 124 is shown on the card 110, but may not be included,as shown in some of the other embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 9 shows another alternative embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 9, card 140 is preferably about one-half of the conventional size,but is shaped in a configuration that differs from the conventionalrectangular configuration. Preferably, the card is square, or nearlysquare, which means that the edges 142, 144, 146 and 148 are all nearlyequal in length. Instead of a conventional magnetic strip, the card 140preferably uses a microprocessor chip 150 to transmit identificationinformation to an associated reader. The card 140 is preferablysymmetric about horizontal and vertical centerlines, but may be slightlyasymmetric about one or both centerlines.

The cards 110 and 140 of FIGS. 8 and 9 may be used with an appropriatelyconstructed case, as shown in some of the other embodiments of theinvention. Identification information, such as bar code labels, may alsobe used with these cards 110, 140.

While one or more preferred embodiments have been identified, otherconfigurations and modifications can be provided which are within thescope of the present invention.

1. A payment card comprising: a first surface and a second surface; amagnetic stripe extending along the first surface in a first direction;and an outer peripheral edge, the edge comprising: a first point thereonand a second point thereon spaced apart from said first point, saidfirst and second points being along a line substantially parallel tosaid first direction and tangent to the card at the first and secondpoints, each of said first and second points spaced perpendicularly fromsaid magnetic stripe by a first distance; and a segment between thefirst and second points, at least a point of the segment being spacedperpendicularly from said magnetic stripe by less than said firstdistance.
 2. The payment card of claim 1 wherein said first distance isa standardized distance for magnetic card readers.
 3. The payment cardof claim 1 wherein said first and second points on said edge provide areference for magnetic stripe reading heads.
 4. The payment card ofclaim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second points sits on anarcuate portion of the edge.
 5. A method of facilitating a financialtransaction with a non-rectangular payment card, the card having amagnetic stripe extending along a first surface of the card in a firstdirection, the method comprising: positioning the card in a card readersuch that two points on an edge of the card are in contact with the cardreader and such that at least a segment of the edge between the twopoints is not in contact with the card reader; swiping the card throughthe card reader in substantially the first direction; and maintainingcontact between the card reader and the two points during the swiping.6. The method of claim 5 wherein the two points provide a reference formagnetic stripe reading heads on the card reader.
 7. The method of claim5 further comprising: extending the card from a protective case toexpose the magnetic stripe; wherein the swiping of the card occurs whilethe card remains in contact with the case.
 8. The method of claim 7wherein the card is pivotally connected to the case, and extending thecard from the case comprises rotating the card about the pivotalconnection.